For many, just walking together is a sure-fire formula for romance. The long west coast of Whidbey Island is dotted with parks, beaches, and headlands. Try South Whidbey, Fort Casey, and Fort Ebey state parks. Ebey’s Landing (near Coupeville) is a magical place to walk at dusk. A four-mile roundtrip starts at the beach, climbs a headland with glorious views and picnic spots, then descends to loop back along the beach.
Deception Pass State Park straddles Whidbey and Fidalgo islands along SR 20 with a wealth of waterside trails. Especially try Rosario Head andLighthouse Point trails. Or walk acrossDeception Pass Bridge to watch as tidal currents stream from Skagit Bay toward the
San Juans and the setting sun.
In the Skagit River Estuary (broadest in the state) Padilla Shore Trail follows a levee through a marsh alive with hawks, herons, and sandpipers. AtLong Beach Peninsula on the south coast, 28 miles of sandy strand open to the Pacific and invite strolling by the sea. To the north, Olympic National Park gives you walks next to pounding surf —Rialto, Ruby, First, Second, and Third Beaches near LaPush.
You can look down on glaciers at Mount Rainier National Park from Glacier Vista Trail (from Paradise visitor center), and from Emmons Vista Trail (Sunrise Visitor Center).
In Seattle, wander footpaths on both sides of Hiram Chittenden Locks in Ballard and watch pleasure craft pouring through the locks. Burke-Gilman Trail begins in Gasworks Park on Lake Union and affords grand looks back to city skyscrapers.
East of Bellingham, Mt. Baker’s short Picture Lake Loop makes a swell early October stroll when trail-side vegetation bursts into seasonal color. Other nearby trails offer longer alpine rambles.
Leavenworth’s Riverfront Trail along the Wenatchee River is a quiet counterpoint to the bustling “Bavarian Village.” Nearby Wenatchee has opened the 11-mile Apple Capital Loop Trail - a walking and biking path linking a series of riverfront parks.
Locals suggest...Bring along sturdy footwear, windbreaker, along with sunglasses and hat to explore
Public gardens — Wilburton Hills (Bellevue), Bloedel (Bainbridge Island), Meerkerk (Whidbey Island), Ohme (Wenatchee). Interurban trails, south of Bellingham, through the forest next to rocky coast. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge between Tacoma and Olympia.
Island demands muscle-making climbs."